Adopted: God's Plan "A": The Doctrine of Adoption and Its Relationship to Us, the Church, and All of Creation

by Aaron N. Hartman

Dr. Aaron N. Hartman began work on his seminary degree at Reformed Theological Seminary while practicing medicine in the US Air Force. It was during this time he and his wife, Rebekah, adopted Anna and Abigail out of the Florida foster system, and Dr. Hartman first began to grasp the significance of the doctrine of adoption. Late in 2008, one of his wife’s friends, in referencing her own adoption of a child, referred to it as God’s “Plan B.” In that instant, while playing with Anna, he was seized by the realization that our adoption by God was, in fact, His sovereign plan from the beginning of time; therefore, adopting fatherless children is also nothing less than God’s “Plan A.”Dr. Hartman spent the following year writing his thesis on the doctrine of adoption. In God’s “Plan A”, he shows how integral this doctrine is to our understanding of the gospel. The call of James 1:27 is for those who have been redeemed and adopted by the Father to reflect his image through care of the orphan. Such a response is grace driven, Gospel proclaiming, and God glorifying.

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2013

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to be adopted. There seems to be a stigma about either being a fostered or an adopted child. For some people, having your own biological child is all important. The authors felt adoption was not second best or God’s Plan B an decided to explore the idea of adoption: Scripturally, theologically, philosophically was well as historically. They discovered that adoption is God’s Plan A and is the best way to understand our standing as God’s children. The book is a very human and the authors tell the story of their own family drawing out different insights which enable the reader to appreciate the value of adoption in a fresh way. It is a wonderful book and a joy to read.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book from my friends Aaron and Becky. Highly recommended!